Charities open their hearts, kitchens to needy on Thanksgiving

Ruth Taylor worked 35 years for Orange County — much of that time with underprivileged kids and their struggling parents — while raising five children of her own. You might argue that at 75, she has earned the right to relax and enjoy the labor of others at Thanksgiving.

Instead, she is spending her Social Security checks to ensure families in the Ivey Lane area have turkey and all the trimmings for their holiday meal.

"It is just the work that God has allowed me to do," said Taylor, who founded the Sister to Sister Outreach Center in Orlando five years ago. "I love helping people, and I have since I was a little girl."

With a $2,000 donation and volunteers from Radiology Specialists of Florida, Taylor and her helpers on Monday passed out 130 bags filled with turkey and other holiday food to families in need. And hers was hardly the lone charitable effort this week.

On Monday afternoon, a few miles away on Michigan Street, Orlando's Community Food & Outreach Center was also handing out holiday food to about 300 families — much of it donated by the Orlando Solar Bears and their fans at a food drive Sunday night. And Catholic Charities of Central Florida is providing boxed meals for another 300 pre-registered families this week, thanks to the generosity of parishioners.

But if you missed those offerings, take heart. There is no shortage of charities and churches — and one local attorney — providing Thanksgiving food and complete meals this week.

•For families in need, the Pendás Law Firm will be distributing 1,500 free turkeys from 7:30 to 10 Tuesday morning at its principal office, 625 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. This is the fourth year the firm's owner, attorney Lou Pendás, has offered the giveaway, which he does to "show these families to keep their faith," he said. No documentation of hardship is needed, but the turkeys are given out first come, first served — and typically the turkeys run out before demand does.

•Orlando Union Rescue Mission is hosting a Thanksgiving banquet for homeless men, women and children from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The charity will serve as many a 1,400 hot meals, while 150 volunteers will help distribute clothing, Bibles and hygiene items to those in need. For children, there will be arts and crafts stations and the creation of balloon animals. The event takes place at the rescue mission's men's division, 410 W. Central Blvd. in Orlando.

•For the 20th straight year, The Salvation Army in Orlando is hosting the granddaddy of all Thanksgiving feasts, "Helpings from the Heart," this time for an expected 25,000 diners. The event, orchestrated and largely paid for by Golden Corral executive Eric Holm, will be at The Salvation Army's gymnasium, 440 W. Colonial Drive. It's open to everyone in need.

"We see Thanksgiving as a way of giving back," said Holm, whose own family was helped by the charity when he was a child. "This year we know that all kinds of families may need help."

The event starts at 11 a.m. Thursday and runs until demand, or supply, runs out. Others supporting the effort include Cheney Brothers food distributor, Pepsi, MBM Food Service, Harvill's Produce Company, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Universal Orlando Resort and Sprint, which is providing cellphones for those who want to call family. More than 1,100 Salvation Army volunteers will work throughout the day to help serve the meal.

•In Apopka, local churches have joined forces to host a Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Apopka, 441 S. Highland Ave. This is the church's 29th annual free community Thanksgiving dinner and is open to the public.

ksantich@tribune.com or 407-420-5503. For information on where to volunteer or donate for the holidays, go to blogs.orlandosentinel.com/changetheworld/.